Southern California -- this just in

Two men were shot and wounded Tuesday by an Inglewood police officer responding to a home invasion robbery, department officials said.

No officers were hurt in the incident, which unfolded shortly before 1 a.m. as Inglewood officers were initially called to a burglary in progress at an apartment on the 600 block of West Venice Boulevard.

The crime was upgraded to a home invasion robbery when dispatchers were told the two men were armed.

Sgt. Mike Bollinger, a 15-year police veteran, immediately was confronted by two men as they were leaving the apartment, department officials said in a statement.

"Based on the fact there were two armed suspects, Sgt. Bollinger deployed his department-issued shotgun, striking both suspects," the statement read.

The men, who were not identified, were taken to a hospital, where their conditions were not immediately available.

Two handguns were recovered at the scene. Witnesses later told police the suspects robbed residents of one of the apartment units at gunpoint.

Anyone who was in the area or who has information is asked to call the Inglewood Police Homicide Section at (310) 412-5246, or the 24-hour anonymous hot line number 888-41-CRIME (888-412-7463).